Looking for Track Layout Ideas - New Maersk Set

[dmiracle]

Hi. First post.

My brother-in-law gave my 9 year old son his Maersk set yesterday. We're not collectors so I'm looking to set this up so he can enjoy it.

I just bought all the pieces to motorize.

Now I need track.

So looking for layout ideas for a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood (along with any tips).

Right now I'm screwing the plywood down to 4 stable saw horses (temporarily solution). Covering with astroturf (no splinters).

We do have some Lego road and a few base pieces from other sets. I know he's planning on running the train, loading/unloading cargo, driving cargo around a bit, then reloading train.

Have no other buildings. Considering getting him a crane or a train station for Christmas.

But right now I'd like to find track layout using current Lego pieces that would be fun for my 9 year old boy?

Please share your suggestions, photos, etc.

I did download RailModler (on a Mac) but I don't see a fully current Lego track inventory list (no flexible track).

Thank you, in advance, for all your help.

[Hewman]

if you go here and click the instructions tab and download either pdf file there should be pics and details on how many of each set of tracks you'll need.

http://www.brickset.com/detail/?set=7499-1

[Luke_likes_Lego]

Welcome dmiracle,

There's a post here that has lots of layouts:

http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=31989

A lot might be bigger that 4'x8', but hopefully some good inspiration

Lego has a track designer that might interest you -it handles flexi-track:

http://www.lego.com/...s/track-planner

A lot of the LEGO train enthusiasts (including me) like Alban Nanty's Bluebrick for design & plan of more detailed layouts (http://bluebrick.lswproject.com/).

Good luck, have fun....and let us know if you've any more q's.

Cheers,

LLL

Edited December 8, 2013 by Luke_likes_Lego

[JopieK]

welcome to EB and the Train Tech forum dmiracle! I recently picked up a large train set (yellow cargo) including a station an freight train for about 100 bucks (well 115€ to be exact), so hope they have such a deals in the US too.

[peterab]

This might be a helpful site, though it is quite old, the geometry hasn't changed except for the addition of flex track.

http://www.brickpile.com/track-layout-geometry/

and a helpful google search

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=lego+train+layouts+plans&safe=off&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=76emUqrgOoakkgWh6YGoAg&ved=0CC4QsAQ&biw=1920&bih=1028